Soorasamharam 2011 - Aurora Temple

Soorasamharm Festival in one of the famous South India Temple.

History of Lord Muruga’s birth

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s marriage is said to be knowledge and grace joined together to give Bliss, i.e., Lord Muruga. All the deities went to Lord Shiva and pleaded Him to do something as they could not tolerate the demon Soorapadman’s cruelty. Lord Shiva took a form along with six faces (i.e.,Sathyojatham, Vamadevam, Thathpurusham, Eesanam, Aghoram and Atho).

From the third eye of each face, a fire spark came out. Lord Shiva asked Vayudevan (God of wind) and Agnidevan (God of fire) to take the six fire sparks to the Ganges River. Later Ganga took them to Sarvana pond. The six fire sparks became six beautiful babies on six red lotus flowers. When Goddess Parvati hugged them together, they joined to become one form with six faces, twelve hands and was named Skandan.

He performed several divine acts (leelas) when He was young. When Soorapadman’s cruelty went to an extreme, Lord Shiva thought it was time for his destruction. He gave the eleven Rudras eleven weapons, and Parvathi gave the Vel weapon to Lord Muruga for the war.This symbolizes penetrating spiritual knowledge.

Shanmukha Gayatri Mantra

This video is the famous Murugan Gayatri Mantra chanted during Virtual Puja

Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple

Thiruchendur Murugan temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Muruga and one of the Arupadaiveedu (six major abodes) of Lord Muruga. It is placed in the small town of Thiruchendur in the district of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India and is 55 km south-east of Tirunelveli,40 km from Tuticorin and 75 km north-east of Kanyakumari. It is easily accessible either by bus or car.

Lord Murugan is more popular in South India compared to other parts of India. He is the God of war and the patron deity of the Tamil land (Tamil Nadu). Like most Hindu deities, He is known by many other names, including Senthil, Saravana, Kārttikeya (meaning ‘son of Krittika’ ), Arumugam or Shanmukha (meaning ‘one with six faces’), Kumāra (meaning ‘child or son’), Guha, Skanda (meaning ‘that which is spilled or oozed, namely seed’ in Sanskrit), Subrahmanya, Vēlan and Swaminatha.

Each Arupadaiveedu has an event mentioned in the ‘puranas’. Thiruchendur is said to be Lord Murugan’s second abode. This place is also referred to by other names in religious poems and literature as Thirucheeralaivai, Thiruchenthil, Thiruchenthiyoor, etc. The deity is worshipped by various names such as Senthilandavan, Senthilkumaran and so on. The Arupadiveedus are Palani (120 km west of Madurai), Swamimalai (150 km east of Madurai), Thiruthani (50 km from Chennai), Pazhamudircholai (10 km north of Madurai) and Thiruparamkunram (10 km south of Madurai).

The temple is situated so close to the sea that waves from the Gulf of Mannar lap at the eastern perimeter wall of the temple.

The meaning of Valli’s Wedding

The true import of this wedding seems to be this. Valli represents the Jiva that has been separated from its original abode, eternal bliss, Paramatman, who is Arumuga Peruman. The separated Jiva roams in the wilderness of the forest of this world, due to the force of Avidya (ignorance). To rescue this ignorant Jiva wandering in the wilderness, the Guru appears in the form of Rishi Narada by whose help the wedding takes place between Valli and Lord Karttik, i.e., the holy communion of the Jiva with the Supreme Brahman.

As the Jiva possessed unflinching and unswerving faith in the Lord, Valli was determined to marry only Lord Shanmukha and was able to realise her ambition in spite of the many obstructions. Hence, having the two horns of Vairagya and Viveka, the Jiva, Valli, got herself finally rescued from the clutches of Maya—represented by her parents and other obstacles—and finally established herself in union with Lord Subrahmanya, the Supreme Abode of Bliss.

The two wives, Deivayanai and Valli, also symbolise the two types of devotees among those who strive for Moksha or Liberation through union or oneness with the Supreme. One type consists of those who rigidly and sincerely observe the injunctions and follow the teachings of the Vedic scriptures and are thus the followers of Vaidika Karmas. That type is represented by Deivayanai, whom Subrahmanya married in the regular orthodox way. The other type consists of the ardent Bhaktas who attach more importance to right mental feeling and emotion than to rules and regulations. This type is symbolised by Valli, who grows as the foster-daughter of the hunter king, Nambi. Subrahmanya marries her in the combined Gandharva and Paisacha modes of marriage. He manifests love in wooing her and uses force in fighting against her relations who try to obstruct Him.

Thiruchendur murugan temple – Soorasamharam festival

Soorasamharam or surasamharam festival in Tiruchendur temple begin with yaga sala pooja where lakhs of devotees across Tamil Nadu began their sashti vridham. The history behind this festival is said to be that Lord Senthilandavar killed the Demon Soorpadman with his vel and this divine act of his celebrated as Soorasamharam. On this day the devotees celebrate the victory of lord muruga and the temple authorities had made elaborate arrangements for the dharsan of lord murugan during the festival where the Tiruchendur Subramaniaswamy kills the demon on the sea shore.

According to skanda purana the demons under the guidance of surapadama defeated the devas and they took over the earth. From them they started to harassing the people, so adharma was all around. Lord Brahma, other gods and humans prayed to Lord Shiva to put an end to this Adharma. Lord shiva created lord murugan.

At last subramania swamy killed surapadma with the lance. But the demon turned into a huge mango tree. Then murugan cut the tree into two vertical pieces with his vel. The pieces were then transformed into peacock and cock. Then lord murugan made peacock as his vehicle and cock as his flag. This event is popularly called as Surasamharam.

This day has great importance at all the murugan South India Temples and also in south India, Malaysia, Singapore, south Africa and Sri Lanka. The soorasamharam festival takes place at Tiruchendur, the divine action is re-enacted on the day and it is seen by thousands of people.

Sri Subrahmanya Asthothram

Chanting this Asthothram during Virtual Puja is considered to be very special.

1. Om Skandaya namaha
2. Om Guhaya namaha
3. Om Shanmugaya namaha
4. Om Phalanetrasutaya namaha
5. Om Prabhave namaha
6. Om Pingalaya namaha
7. Om Kritikasunave namaha
8. Om Sikivahaya namaha
9. Om Dvisadbhujaya namaha
10. Om Dvisannetraya namaha
11. Om Saktidharaya namaha
12. Om Pisitasaprabhamjanaya namaha
13. Om Tarakasurasamharine namaha
14. Om Raksobalavimardhanaya namaha
15. Om Mattaya namaha
16. Om Pramattaya namaha
17. Om Unmattaya namaha
18. Om Surasainyasuraksakaya namaha
19. Om Devasenapataye namaha
20. Om Prajnaya namaha
21. Om Krpalave namaha
22. Om Bhaktavatsalaya namaha
23. Om Umasutaya namaha
24. Om Saktidharaya namaha
25. Om Kumaraya namaha
26. Om Kraunchadharanaya namaha
27. Om Senanyai namaha
28. Om Agnijanmane namaha
29. Om Visakhaya namaha
30. Om Sankaratmajaya namaha
31. Om Sivasvamine namaha
32. Om Svaminathaya namaha
33. Om Sarvasvamine namaha
34. Om Sanatanaya namaha
35. Om Anantasaktaye namaha
36. Om Aksobhyaya namaha
37. Om Parvatipriyanandanaya namaha
38. Om Gangasutaya namaha
39. Om Sarodbhutaya namaha
40. Om Pavakatmajaya namaha
41. Om Ganasvamine namaha
42. Om Atmabhuve namaha
43. Om Jrmbhaya namaha
44. Om Prajrmbhaya namaha
45. Om Ujjrmbhaya namaha
46. Om Kamalasanasamstutaya namaha
47. Om Ekavarnaya namaha
48. Om Dvivarnaya namaha
49. Om Trivarnaya namaha
50. Om Sumanoharaya namaha
51. Om Chaturvarnaya namaha
52. Om Panchavarnaya namaha
53. Om Prajapataye namaha
54. Om Aharpataye namaha
55. Om Agnigarbhaya namaha
56. Om Samigarbhaya namaha
57. Om Visvaretase namaha
58. Om Surarighnaya namaha
59. Om Harodvarnaya namaha
60. Om Subhakaraya namah
61. Om Vasavaya namaha
62. Om Vatuvesabhrte namaha
63. Om Pusne namaha
64. Om Gabhastine namaha
65. Om Gahanaya namaha
66. Om Chandravarnaya namaha
67. Om Kaladharaya namaha
68. Om Mayadharaya namaha
69. Om Mahamayine namaha
70. Om Kaivalyaya namaha
71. Om Sakalatmakaya namaha
72. Om Visvayonaye namaha
73. Om Ameyatmane namaha
74. Om Tejonidhaye namaha
75. Om Anamayaya namaha
76. Om Paramesthine namaha
77. Om Parabrahmane namaha
78. Om Vedagharbaya namah
79. Om Viradvapuse namah
80. Om Pulindakanyabharte namaha
81. Om Mahasarasvatavrtaya namaha
82. Om Asritakhiladatre namaha
83. Om Choraghnaya namaha
84. Om Roganasanaya namaha
85. Om Anantamurtaye namaha
86. Om Anandaya namaha
87. Om Sikhandikrtaketanaya namaha
88. Om Dhambhaya namaha
89. Om Paramadhambhaya namaha
90. Om Mahadhambaya namaha
91. Om Vrsakapaye namaha
92. Om Karanopattadehaya namaha
93. Om Karanatitavigrahaya namaha
94. Om Anisvaraya namaha
95. Om Amrtaya namaha
96. Om Pranaya namaha
97. Om Pranayamaparayanaya namaha
98. Om Viruddhahantre namaha
99. Om Viraghnaya namaha
100. Om Raktasyamagalaya namaha
101. Om Mahate namaha
102. Om Subrahmanyaya namaha
103. Om Guhaya namaha
104. Om Brahmanyaya namaha
105. Om Vamsavrddhikaraya namaha
106. Om Brahmanapriyaya namaha
107. Om Aksayaphalapradaya namaha
108. Om Vedavedhyaya namaha

Iti Sri Subrahmanya Asthottarasatananamavali sampurnam.

Chitirai Thiruvizha

Panchanagam and Festival Dates of May

Here is the festival and muhurtham dates that have been followed in most of the Famous Temples in India.

PANCHANGAM DATES - May. (Chitirai - Vaigasi)
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
						1
2 – Am	3	4- Ka	5	6	7-Sc	8
9- Sh	10	11	12	13- Ek	14	15-Pr., Mp
16	17-Po	18	19	20- Sc	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28- Ek	29
30- Pr.

Am - Amavasya

Ka - Karthigai

Ek – Ekadashi

Sc-Sankatahara Chaduthi

Si - Sivarathiri

Pr. - Pradosham

Sh - Shasti

Po. - Pournami

Mp. - (Vaigasi)Maasa Pirappu

Festivals / Pandigai dates :

17.05.11 - Vaigasi Visagam

Murugan woos Devasena and Valli

After wining the battle against Surapadma, Lord Muruga gave back Indra Loka to Indra. So as a gift Indra gave his daughter Devayanai to Lord Murugan in wedlock.

Valli was a girl born on Valli Malai and was the daughter of Vedda King Nambi Raj. Starting as a handsome young vedar Lord Murgan weds valli in a series of disguises.

At the Lord Murugan has to seek the help of his brother Lord Ganesha to trick Valli into agreeing to marry him.

Tiruchendur Murugan Photo Gallery

Here is the real photo gallery of Tiruchendur Murugan Temple - the second abode of the six chosen spots of Lord Muruga. It is approximately 56 km away from Tirunelveli and 88 km from Kanyakumari. And it is famous for Indian Temple Tour

Murugan Moola Mantra

Om Sharavana-bhavaya Namaha !

GYaanashaktidhara skanda valliikalyaaNa sundara

devasenaa manaH kaanta kaartikeya namo.astute

OM subrahmaNyaaya namaH !

[Adorations to Lord Senthilandavar!

Adoratiosn to Lord Kartikeya who is known as Skanda, Who holds the

staff of wisdom, who is the beautiful beloved of Goddess Vallii, Who

is the enchanter of the mind of Goddess Devasena, to that Divine Kartikeya

I offer adorations again and again!]

Panchangam and festival dates – March

Here is the festival and muhurtham dates that have been followed in most of the Hindu Temples in India.

PANCHANGAM DATES - March. (Maasi - Panguni)
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Dun
	1	2 - Pr.	3	4 – Am	5	6
7	8 - Sc.	9	10 - Sh , Ka	11	12	13
14	15 - Mp	16 - EK.	17 - Pr	18	19 - Po	20
21	22	23 - Sc	24	25	26	27
24	26	27	28	29 – Ek	30
28	29	30 – Ek	31 - Pr

Am - Amavasya

Ka - Karthigai

Ek – Ekadashi

Sc-Sankatahara Chaduthi

Si - Sivarathiri

Pr. - Pradosham

Sh - Shasti

Po. - Pournami

Mp. - (Thai )Maasa Pirappu

Festival / Pandigai dates :

02.03.11 - Maha Shivaratri

14.03.11 - Karadayan Nonbu

19.03.11 - Panguni Uthiram

19.03.11 - Holi

Tiruchendur Murugan Temple - Tamil Nadu, India

Tiruchendur is a small town located in the Southern part of Tamil Nadu state of India. The town is famous because of Tiruchendur Murugan Temple and is famous for Indian Temple Tour. Tiruchendur town is located at a distance of around 75 kms from Kanyakumari, and around 55 kms from Tirunelveli. Tiruchendur Murugan temple is one the six "arupadai veedu" of Lord Muruga.

Tiruchendur Murugan temple is very huge and it is located too close to the sea shore. In fact, the sea waves keep touching the walls of Murugan temple. Even though the actual temple entrance starts from the Rajagopuram (temple tower) near the beach, there is mandapa (closed corridor) for a distance of around 1-1.5 kms away from the temple. On both sides of the mandapa, you can find a lot of shops selling pooja related materials. Also, there are small temples. The temple starts from the Rajagopuram (tower), where you can find a big mandapa (corridor). The temple structure and entrance are a bit confusing. There are some shrines including that of Lord Ganesha and Muruga located in the outside mandapa.

The main deity of the temple Lord Muruga is believed to be many thousands of years old due to its reference in Hindu puranas and Tamil ancient books. The main shrine has Lord Muruga in the standing posture. Lord Muruga in this temple is also called as Senthil, Senthil Andavar, Karthikeya, and Subramanya. In the main shrine itself, there is a Shiv linga called as Jagannatha. It is believed that this Shiv linga and a group of five Shiv lingas (Pancha linga) behind the main shrine were worshiped by Lord Muruga. You can also go and visit the Pancha Linga in the cave located behind the main shrine. Near the main shrine the idols of Veera Bagu, Veera Mahendra, Ganesha, and Parvathi are found.

In the prakara there is a monolithic figure of Lord Muruga seating on the peacock and fighting with the Asura (demon). There are two separate shrines - one for Valli and another for Devasena (wives of Lord Muruga) are also found in the corridor. There are a lot of Shiv Linga idols found in the corridor. There are also shrines or idols for Veera Kesari, Veera Marthandar, Dakshinamurthy, Ganesha, Nataraja, and Shanmuga. In the corridor, there is a shrine dedicated for Lord Venkatesa Perumal (Vishnu). Near his shrine, you can find the carved idol of Gaja Lakshmi and Ranganath along with Sri Devi, Bhoo Devi, and Neela Devi.

Outside Subramania Swamy Temple, there is a holy well named 'Nazhi Kinaru' where the devotees take bath. There is a small separate cave temple for Valli named ' Valli Guhai'. This is the place where Valli hid herself inside the cave as she was afraid of the elephant. The small cave temple has the idols of Valli, Dattratreya, Chandra, Shiv Linga, and Ganesha.

Arupadai veedu

Skanda - also known as Murugan, Kartikeya, Subramanya is one of the most revered deities in the southern state of Tamilnadu. All these temples are located in South India - in the state of Tamil Nadu. Though there are thousands of temples for the Hindu god Lord Muruga - around the globe, these six specific temples enjoy unparallel sanctity and popularity among the devotees of Muruga or Balasubramanya - and deserve a very special mention. These six temples that constitute the Arupadai veedu group of shrines are Thiruparamkunram Subramanya Swami Temple, Tiruchendur Subramaniaswamy Temple, Swamimalai Swaminatha Swami Temple, Palani Dandayudhapani Swamy Temple, Tiruthani Subramanya Swamy Temple and Palamudhircholai Subramanya Swamy Temple.

Arupadai Veedu Locations

Thiruparamkunram Subramanya Swami Temple – Thiruparankundram, Madurai

Tiruchendur Murugan temple – Thiruchendur, Thoothukudi

Swamimalai Swaminatha Swami Temple – Swamimalai, Thanjavur

Palani Dandayudhapani Swamy Temple – Palani, Dindigul

Tiruthani Subramanya Swamy Temple - Tiruthani, Tamil Nadu

Palamudhircholai Subramanya Swamy Temple - Palamudhircholai

Kandakottam – Muthukumara Swamy Temple

The origin of this temple is quite fantastic, and it emerged by the divine will communicated to two merchants living in Madras. It begins with two great bhaktas named Kandappa Achari and Mari Chettiar, who lived some three hundred years before in Madras. They were intensely attached to the Kumaran of Tiruporur and were visiting every month regularly on the auspicious Krithika day, walking all the way nearly 60 km. And returning like wise. And they used to rest on the way under a neem tree. One day a snake came and slept near Marri Chetty, when he was in deep sleep. In his dream he was directed by a boy to take the idols hidden under ant-hill and install in a temple. On waking up he found to his shock the snake lying next to him, which disappeared at once.

He informed of this entire event to his friend. Being devout Bhaktas, they dug the ant-hill and found to their surprise beautiful images, of Muruga, Valli and Devasena. They took them home. Kandappa Achari installed them in a temple besides a small shrine built by him for Vinayaka some years before. Due to liberal grant of boons, the Muruga became very popular. This area being dominated by commercial people, they deemed it fit to build an exclusive. big temple for Kandan. So there came up into' existence this present temple. As this temple is situated in the flower garden, the deity is popularly called Poonganagar Murugan. This Lord gives darsan with Lord Siva on one side and Parvathi on the other. This popular Somaskandar darsan feasts the eyes and fulfills the desires easily. So it attained great fame. All the periodical festivals are celebrated with great pomp and splendour consuming some lakes of rupees. The temple's Vasantha mandap is used for conducting discourses and also special functions. The temple is largely and liberally endowed by rich merchants, and so owns many valuable jewels, vessels, vahanas etc. It is an much frequented temple in Madras.

This is one of the famous South India Temple. It lies in the Rasappa Chetty Street, one of the busiest parts of Madras, accessible from any point by city bus.

Panchangam and festival dates – January

Here is the festival and muhurtham dates that have bben followed in most of the Hindu Temples in India.

PANCHANGAM DATES - January. (Margazhi - Thai)
Mon	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
				1 - Pr.	2 - Si
3 – Am	5	6	7	8	9
10 – Sh	12	13	14	15 - Ka., Mp.	16 - Ek
17 – Pr	19 – Po	20	21	22 – Sc	23
24	26	27	28	29 – Ek	30

Am - Amavasya

Ka - Karthigai

Ek – Ekadashi

Sc-Sankatahara Chaduthi

Si - Sivarathiri

Pr. - Pradosham

Sh - Shasti

Po. - Pournami

Mp. - (Thai )Maasa Pirappu

Festival / Pandigai dates :

04.01.11 - Hanumath Jayanthi (celebrated in Kerela and Tamilnadu )

14.01.11 - Boghi pandigai

15.01.11 - Pongal pandigai

16.01.11 - Maatu pongal

20.01.11 - Thai Poosa